With Christmas just around the corner, I wanted to give my top picks again this year for presents. Luckily, for those that have waited til the last minute, many of these places will still ship in time for Christmas.

For The Hostess:

1. Crate and Barrel jar, $3.95, perfect for making your own infused olive oils to give as gifts
2. Signals "Home" or "Happiness" bowl, $14.95
3. William Sonoma Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows, $33
4. Crate and Barrel table runners, $27.95


For Her:

1. Pandora rose gold diamond ring, $855
2. Signals bird cages, $44.95 for 6
3. Crate & Barrel pillow, $26.95
4. Signals customized hometown puzzle, $39.95


For Him:

1. Cuff link hub watch movement cuff links, $50
2. Frontgate stainless steel wallet $69.50
3. Signals agate coasters, set of 4 from Brazil, $69.95
4. Catan: Cities and Knights board game, $


For The Little One:

1. Pottery Barn rocker $119
2. Pottery Barn animal trio, $24
3. Red Envelope Turtle nightlight, $29.95
4. "I want My Hat Back" book, $7.50


My Favorite Must Haves:

1. Vintage 70's inspired cape on Ebay, 86.50
2. Crate & Barrel headphones, $59.95
3. Signals Owl Pitcher, $29.95
4. Signals Bird necklace, $39.95

Presto Pesto!

Things are going well with everything at js weddings and events. Summer has been busy with a wedding almost every weekend, and it wont stop until the end of October. While I am waiting patiently for pictures from the photographers of the most recent weddings, I thought I would update on my recent endeavour: making pesto.

My mom and I have been growing basil and we finally realized that it was starting to become as big as a bush. We decided to "harvest" it and make pesto. We loosely followed some directions, but basically we put basil, extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts and a pinch of salt in a food processor, let it whirl, and then just adjusted the ingredient ratio according to taste. We then poured it in ice cube trays and placed them in the freezer. After they hardened, we put the pesto cubes in zip lock bags and presto! Fresh pesto anytime of the year. You can toss a cube or two in your pasts, in your stir fry, on your protein... the options are endless. And now you can be transported back to summer anytime of the year, even in blurry winter.

Measuring the Moments

I found these 4 different measuring cups fun and pretty and far from boring. If you have to register or buy a boring old kitchen gadget, it might as well be funky and colorful.


Lady Bug measuring cups from Amazon: $25
Vegetable Measuring cups from World Market: $10
Fiesta Measuring Cups from William-Sonoma: $18
Blooming Flower Measuring Cups from Pier 1: $11

April Showers

Sometimes April in Michigan means sunshine and blue sky. Other times, it means dreary days of rain. A lot like today actually. And on these cold, dreary days, there is nothing I like better than sitting curled up with a warm bowl of soup and a good book.

Fresh Tomato, Lentil and Onion Soup
Serves 4-6

Ingredients
2 tsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
¼ cup split red lentils
2 large tomatoes, roughly chopped
3 ¾ cups vegetable stock
2 tsp oregano
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Freshly chopped parsley to garnish

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and celery and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the lentils and cook for 1 minute.
2. Stir in the tomatoes, vegetable stock, dried herbs, salt and pepper. Cover, bring to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. When the lentils are cooked and tender, set the soup aside to cool slightly.
4. Puree in a blender or food processor until it is almost smooth. Return to the saucepan and reheat.